Verse-by-verse through Philippians (3:20-3:21)

We saw last time that there are four things that are true of those people that the apostle Paul refers to as “enemies of the cross of Christ.” They were enemies of the gospel. The gospel is this: that man is wickedly sinful. You, me everybody. We spend our lives hating God. Yet God sent His Son to die on that cross, so that when the person sees themselves as being the sinner they are, they call upon the name of Christ, they turn away from their sins, they ask for forgiveness, and they follow Christ and obey Him. That is what it means to be saved. When that person gives up their sins, and they follow Christ and they die to their old self, that person is saved from the eternal wrath of God by the blood of Jesus Christ.

But these enemies of the cross are people who are either trying to make themselves look more “holy” by saying that Christ did not do enough to save us, and that we have to save ourselves and make ourselves worthy of being saved. None of us is worthy of being saved, and there is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy of being saved. That’s what grace is for. If a person is saved, it is only because of God’s grace. Grace means that if we turn away from sin and believe in Christ—God forgives us even though we don’t deserve it. Then there are those who think that when Jesus died, that He saved the whole world—everybody’s going to Heaven. But that’s not true either. The person who says, “Well, yeah, I believe that Jesus was the Son of God, I believe He died on the cross and I believe He rose again—that means I'm saved!”—yet they still indulge in the same sins over and over again, with no thought of stopping, they don’t care whether they are sinning. That person is in danger of Hell. Do you think the demons believe that Jesus was the Son of God? That Jesus died on the cross and rose again? I assure you, they certainly do believe these things--they have seen them first-hand. So that means they're saved, right? WRONG!! Yet the demons fear God more than most people who claim to be Christians fear Him. James 2:19—You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! The only thing that the enemies of the cross care about is what they can have in this life. But for those who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior and King—and they live like it—we know that this world is not our home.

Philippians 3:18-21—18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Verse 20. Our citizenship is in heaven. We all live on planet earth—temporarily. When we die, will we have a permanent new home? We’ll live in that new home forever. And even while we live on earth, we have a citizenship in one of two places—either here on earth, or in Heaven. Think of it this way: a young man from India comes to the USA on a student visa. He goes to UT to become a doctor. He is living and studying in the USA—but his citizenship is in what country? India. For those of us who worship and obey the Lord Jesus Christ, we may live here on earth—but where is our citizenship? And if we are citizens of Heaven, who is our King?

But Jesus is not only King of Heaven—He is King over—well, everything! Think of it this way: If you live in Knoxville, who is your mayor? Bill Haslam. Who is the Knox County mayor? Mike Ragsdale. We live in Tennessee, so who is our governor? Phil Bredesen. And we live in the United States, so who is our president? Barack Obama. We live on planet earth, so who is our King?

Most people don’t think that there is a king that rules over the whole earth. We’ll talk about them in a second. On the other hand, some people will look around at the world and think that Satan must be in charge. Not quite. He is the god--little “g” god--of this world. But he is not king. And when I say Satan is the “god” of this world I mean that most people serve Satan and if they had their way they would indeed have Satan rule over them. But even though so many serve Satan, he does not have authority over earth—Jesus does (Matthew 28:18). Now, if someone does not believe Jesus is King, does that mean He isn't King? They’ll say, “He’s not my king!” Yeah, He is. You just don’t want to admit it.

Hold your place and turn to John 18. Even as Jesus stood there, beaten and bloody, standing before Pontius Pilate, He was King! But He was not made king by any man--He was King because He was God! John 18:36-37—“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king.” In other words, Jesus is King—He’s just not like earthly kings. He doesn’t get His authority because He had it handed to Him from another person. He’s King—PERIOD! Why is He King? Well, because that’s just how it is!

But here’s where the lost person has a problem. The lost person doesn’t want it that way. They don’t want to be ruled by anybody—let alone be ruled by God, who will demand that they give up their old sinful lifestyle. If you were to ask 100 people, “Who would rather have as king—Jesus Christ? Or…I don’t know…Snoop Dogg.” I think we know who most people would choose. They would choose the one who would celebrate and glorify all kinds of wicked, sinful, despicable behavior rather than choose Christ. That’s just the way we are. And we see that if we flip over to John 19:7. Pilate takes Jesus out onto the balcony, and takes a thief and murderer named Barabbas with him, and asks the people, “Which one do you want? Do you want this innocent man? Or do you want this homicidal criminal?” And of course, who did they choose? “Give us the vile, wretched, despicable Barabbas!” That is what a citizen of this world wants!

Look at the movies and TV shows that are popular. How many of them have a murderer or a criminal as the “good guy,” the “hero.” Dexter--a serial killer is the “hero.” That movie that just came out with Johnny Depp playing John Dillinger--a bank robber and murder is the “hero.” I could go on and on. Romans 1:32--knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, [they] not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Pilate is still under the assumption that he is the one in control. Just like the lost person thinks they are in control of everything. John 19:9-11--Pilate…said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” I don’t want to say that Jesus laughed at that statement--He may have at least rolled His eyes at such a silly and preposterous statement.

But I wonder what He thought when He heard Pilate say that. “I have power to crucify You, and to release You!” We would probably say something like, “Yeah, keep telling yourself that.” John 19:12—Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.” "**GASP!!** But I’ve got power from the Caesar!" So what! Caesar didn’t have any power but what God let him have. So now Pilate doesn’t know what to do, he cries out to the people, John 19:15, “Shall I crucify your King?” And how do the people respond? “We have no king but Caesar!!” There was a power struggle going on that day. There is a power struggle going on to this day. Has been for 6000 years. Who will we have rule over us? That answer goes a long way in determining where someone’s citizenship is. But when I say this is a “power struggle,” the ‘struggle’ is really only on one end. Does God have trouble understanding who is in charge of…well… EVERYTHING?

The struggle is in US, deciding who we are going to serve. We serve Satan with our flesh. That’s how we’re born. And we don’t want anybody to rule over us that is going to demand too much of us. We don’t want Jesus to be our King. We’ll let Him be Savior. “Hey, Jesus, save us from Hell, OK?” We’ll let Him save us. But RULE over us? “Oh no, we ain't having that!” That would mean we would have to SUBMIT to Him. Can't have that! So, we’ll put up with temporary rulers and earthly laws, just so long as we can live our lives how we want to, without thinking there are any consequences after we die. That is a citizen of this world.

But for the Christian, our citizenship is in Heaven. The word that means “citizenship” is one of those words that Paul had to “make up” to get his point across. It comes from the same Greek word (πολίτευμα, politeuma) that gives us “politics.” It means, “The form of government and the laws by which [a commonwealth] is administered.” The government and the laws that we Christians are to live by are not from this world—they were established by God. The reason Paul uses this word here is, the people who lived in Philippi, the people that Paul was writing to—they were citizens of the Roman Empire. And at the time, it was a Roman law that one must worship the Caesar—the emperor—as a god. And if you failed to do so, you were treated to the most horrific, the most terrible torture you could imagine. So you had a choice. You could either worship the Caesar—Nero, at the time—or you could worship Christ.

Same is true today. You can either obey your flesh and its lusts—or you can obey Christ. No matter what the government allows, that does not mean that it is OK with God. For example: back in 1973, the Supreme Court said, “If you want to kill your baby before he’s born—you go right ahead!” That’s a citizen of this world—one who only cares what the world thinks, and does not care what God thinks. But the one who lives by the laws laid down by God says, “No! God is the one who gives life, and it is murder to kill that child before they're born!” In Exodus, if two men were fighting, and they harm a pregnant woman so that she loses her child, guess what happened to those men? Exodus 21:22-23—and keep in mind, this is God speaking here—“If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished…But if any harm follows”—and that word “harm” literally means “death”—“if any harm follows then you shall give life for life.”

In other words, if you kill the child that is in that woman’s womb—you shall be put to death. That is how a citizen of Heaven thinks of life. That’s just one example, but I think you get the picture. Whether it’s stealing or whatever else God says is sinful—whether the US government allows it or not, the citizen of Heaven says, “NO! If God says it’s a sin, then it is a sin!” Adam Clarke said this about the people who are wrapped up in what they can get in this world, and don’t regard what will happen when they die—“[They] have no city but what is on earth; no rights but what are derived from their [earthly] connections; no society but what is made up of men like themselves, who mind earthly things, and whose belly is their god. We have a heavenly city, the New Jerusalem; we have rights and privileges which are heavenly and eternal; and our society or fellowship is with God the Father, Son, and Spirit, the spirits of just men made perfect, and the whole Church of the first-born. We have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts; and regard not the body, which we know must perish, but which we confidently expect shall be raised from death and corruption into a state of immortal glory.”
1st Peter 1:3-5—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Luke 10:20—“Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Not “will be written.” They ARE written there. If we are saved—that is, if we see our sin as being sin, and we turn away from it, and we turn and follow the risen Christ, and obey Him—then we have an inheritance waiting for us. It does not fade away, it is reserved for us, it’s got our name written all over it—and God keeps us and guards us until we get there ourselves!

The person who is saved lives on earth on a student visa—but our true home is in Heaven! For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Look at the little phrase, eagerly wait. It doesn’t mean, “I'm just kicking back and chilling until He gets here.” NO! We’re watching, we’re looking, we’re waiting—in fact, we can hardly wait until He returns to rule on this earth, and put down any kind of power that dares to rise up against Him! The Greek word is used 7 times in the NT, and it always refers to the second coming of Christ (Romans 8:19, 23, 25; 1st Corinthians 1:7; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 9:28). And why do we eagerly await His return? Because when He sets up His 1000 year reign on earth, we will know that the end is near. After that 1000 years, He’s gonna let Satan out for one last time, and then He’s gonna CRUSH him. Stone cold CRUSH him. Revelation 20:7-10—Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth…The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Then guess what happens! We get new bodies! For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Verse 21, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. These bodies are corrupt. Our flesh isn't good for anything but to serve itself. And until the person has given his life over to Jesus Christ, that’s all they're gonna do. They're just gonna serve themselves and whatever desires they may have. But if we follow Christ, and if He has put a new heart inside of us—we will kick ourselves off the throne, and we will see Jesus for who He is—our Savior, our Lord.

And when He makes all things new, He will take us, and makes us like Him—no pain, no guilt, no corruption, no sadness, no sickness, no death. 1st Corinthians 15:41-44—There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is planted in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is planted in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is planted in weakness, it is raised in power. It is planted a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. And in that new body we shall see Jesus in all His perfection! We shall see Him seated on His throne where He shall reign forever and ever!

As Lord…and as King.

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.


Shadrach Meshach Lockridge was pastor of a church in San Diego from 1953 to 1993. He went to be with the Lord in 2000. His most famous sermon is called “That’s My King!” and the video for it is one of the most popular ever at YouTube:

Prayers for the persecuted church (5/21/2010)

5/19/10 United States (BP) References to God Banned from Classroom- "I wondered what had changed in our culture and in the school district's opinion of the banners that they'd all the sudden tell me to take them down," said a San Diego math teacher who was forced to remove posters with phrases like "In God We Trust" from his classroom walls. Although a federal judge ruled that the school district was wrong to order the removal of the posters, the school district is now appealing that decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Full Story

Pray that the judge's first decision would be upheld and that the teacher would be allowed to leave the posters in his classroom.
Pray that the Father would raise up righteousness in our nation.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict hearts and draw many to Himself.


For more general information, please go to ICC’s website.




5/18/10 Morocco (ICC) New Wave of Christian Expulsions from Morocco- International Christian Concern has learned that 23 foreigners have been notified of expulsion from Morocco since May 10, marking a second wave of Christian deportations from the country. The recent notifications of expulsion are officially attributed to proselytizing, which is illegal under Moroccan law. Earlier this year, the enforcement of anti-proselytizing laws resulted in the deportations of approximately 40 US citizens and many other foreign expatriates from Morocco. However, Moroccan authorities have refused to explain the charges. Full Story.

Pray that the Father would continue to raise up faithful witnesses in Morocco.
Pray for the families of those believers being expelled from Morocco.
Pray that all of the Moroccan authorities' efforts to restrain the word of truth from being released in their country would be completely futile.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Morocco.



5/17/10 Pakistan (ICC) Pakistani Official Fires 15 Christians- International Christian Concern has learned that on May 12, an official of the Pakistani government fired 15 Christian employees in an apparent discriminatory measure in Lahore, Pakistan. Though the administrator of the Solid Waste Management Department allegedly accused the Christians of neglecting their duty, the Christians disputed the charge and contended that they were fired because of their faith. Their Muslim colleagues were not fired from their job. The Christians have asked the Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs to intervene in this situation and reinstate them to their position. Full Story

Pray for the light of truth to shine on this situation and expose all the works of darkness.
Pray that the fired employees would trust in the Father for their provision.
Pray that the Father would use these believers as salt and light among their colleagues.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Pakistan.

5/17/10 Pakistan (Christian Today) Brutal Attacks Prompt Call for Protection of Pakistan's Christian Minority- Following a report from Release International documenting the reports of Christians "who told of relatives who were burnt alive by militants in their homes in Gojra...and others who had been falsely accused of blasphemy," the former Bishop of Rochester is calling on the Pakistani government to protect its Christian minority. One believer told Release International, "These people can attack again whenever they want. We can do nothing - only believe in Jesus. We have a strong trust in him." Full Story

Pray that true justice would be established in Pakistan and uphold the lives of the oppressed.
Pray that the Father would continue to increase the capacity of His church in Pakistan to trust in Him in all circumstances.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Pakistan.




5/15/10 Laos (CDN) Lao Christians Expelled from Village Suffer Critical Illnesses- A group of 48 Christian villagers in Laos were forced from their village at gunpoint in January for refusing to renounce their faith. They have built temporary shelters at the edge of the jungle and have been forced to survive "on food found in the jungle and water from a hand-dug well that is unfit for cooking or drinking." Despite being assured of their religious rights by officials in March, Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom reported that the villagers have suffered from "diarrhea, dehydration, eye and skin infections, fainting and general weakness for the Christians expelled from Katin village, and one person has died." Full Story

Pray that the Father would bring swift and miraculous healing and restoration to the villagers who are suffering in order that His name might be glorified in Laos and cause many to come to salvation in Messiah.
Pray that the villagers would continue to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in the Father.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Laos.




5/18/10 India (ANS) Believers Plead for Pastor's Release- Close to 50 anti-Christian extremists attacked a church in India on a Sunday morning and kidnapped Pastor Abhay Jhadav. While looting the church, the extremists dragged the pastor outside and began to beat him. The pastor was held behind bars for about seven hours under allegations of forced conversion before the members of the church were fortunately able to convince the police that the allegations were false and provoked by envy. The church is requesting prayer for Pastor Jhadav - "that he will be protected from future attacks, and also that those who oppose Jesus will come to know Him intimately." Full Story

Pray for the strengthening of Pastor Jhadav's faith in the face of persecution.
Pray together with the church in India that "those who oppose Jesus will come to know Him intimately."

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on India.

5/21/10 India (CDN) Hindu Nationalists in India Plan 'Religious Cleansing' in Madhya Pradesh District- Hindu nationalist organizations are beginning to prepare for a large "reconversion" event next year. The organizations have declared their intentions to "rid Mandla district of all Christian influence." The ground-breaking ceremony for the rally to be held in February incited some nationalists to attack a house church on May 2nd. One of the "objectives" that has been disclosed so far includes "(driving) away Christian pastors, evangelists and foreign aid workers from the district." Full Story

Pray that the Father would bring the pride of those who hate His children low in order for them to recognize their own need for salvation.
Pray that the efforts to drive believers out of the district would be futile, and that the Father would strengthen His church and so frustrate the plans of the nationalists organizations that the "reconversion" event is entirely prevented from taking place.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on India.

Pakastani assaulted, fired by "Religion of Peace®" for wearing cross

From International Christian Concern, and persecution.org:

Pakistani Pizza Delivery Man Assaulted, Fired From Job for Wearing Cross

Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on May 1, a Pakistani Christian was assaulted by a Muslim customer and fired by his Muslim employer for wearing a cross during work hours in Sargodha, Pakistan.

Ashir Laal told ICC that the Muslim customer also wrecked the restaurant’s motorbike, stole his personal cell phone and desecrated his cross.

Laal worked for a popular restaurant in Sargodha (The identity of the restaurant is withheld on the request of Laal to avert worsening the situation.) On May 1, he received an order to deliver pizza to Muhammad Qadeer Butt. He delivered the pizza within 20 minutes. Butt was so happy with the delivery that he offered Laal a glass of Pepsi.

While Laal was enjoying the Pepsi, Butt noticed the cross worn by Laal. Laal alleges that Butt then grabbed him by his wrist and asked about his faith. Laal replied by saying that he was a Christian.

As soon as he heard the word “Christian,” Butt allegedly became visibly angry, grabbing the cross and throwing it in the garbage. Butt and his two servants beat Laal. Laal was rescued by people who responded to his cries.

Upon returning to work, Laal alleges that his employer scolded him for wearing the cross during work hours and fired him without paying him his salary.

Laal’s father told ICC that they would not register any police case against the powerful Muslims because in this predominantly Muslim country, all their efforts to get justice would be in vain.

ICC contacted the manager of the restaurant, who refused to comment on the details of the allegations by Laal. He said that Laal has stigmatized their restaurant by publicly saying that he is a Christian. He also added that he wouldn’t pay any salary due to Laal; rather he will use the money to mend the motorbike.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said “The plight of Laal is yet another example of societal discrimination that the Pakistani Christians are suffering from the Muslim majority in the country. We urge justice for Laal and other Pakistani Christians.”